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« on: Thursday 28 April 22 07:00 BST (UK) »
I agree with you Annie, I take nothing as read until I have further evidence in its favour. However the book I refer to "Old Dornoch its traditions and Legends" was written by H M Mackay, Town Clerk of Dornoch. it is an old book printed in 1920. Hugh Mackey had access to papers and records from where his information was gained. Information in the book referencing a son for Hugh has been confirmed by many letters amongst the Sutherland papers. Also the book says that Hugh snr was not of the Burgh but son Hugh was.
From Page 146
There have been eleven Town – Clerks during the last 200 years, and it is perhaps worth noting that during this long period, the Burgh has always been able, except in three instances, to find one of its own sons for the ancient and honourable office. The three exceptions are, Hugh Macdonald senior, 1738-56; William Taylor, 1809-29, and Donald Smith, 1842-46.
Also evidence for son Hugh...
MS 1483 (NLS) Dugald Gilchrist letters to John Mackenzie of Delvine:
Letter of 4-3-1756 (extract):
Mr McDonald sheriff clerk is by all appearance on his deathbed….. [Candidates for his post] There are 2 countrymen at Edinburgh in the writing business, viz Donald Ross a son of a tacksman and an old caner of the Earl’s at Brora who wrote with Mr Davidson of Whitehouse, and William Sutherland aforesaid whose father is a tenant on the estate of Skelbo. There is a son of Mr McDonald’s likewise who lives at Chanry of good character. They all 3 understand Erse but I believe the first and the last I have mentioned have more the practice than William Sutherland.
Letter of 17-3-1756 (extract):
Hugh McDonald our sheriff clerk died on 11th current. I find his son is applying for that office… I understand likewise that William Sutherland of Sciberscross our sheriff substitute relies on Forse’s interest with you and the other commissioners for procuring him that office and that he has secured credit for the purchase of it.
Letter of 24-3-1756 (extract):
Mr Baillie at Ardmore informs me that Hugh McDonald’s son succeeds his father as Sheriff Clerk of Sutherland. His father made demission of the office in favour of his son a week or two before his death.
Letter of 7-4-1756 (extract):
I see Hugh McDonald [the son] has got the clerkship.
GD 153/54 (NAS) Dugald Gilchrist papers, bundle ‘Baillie, Ardmore, factor for Balnagowan’:
Letter of 18-3-1756 from William Baillie to DG (extract):
Hugh Mcdonald’s son succeeds his father as sheriff clerk of Sutherland.
Confirmation also of Daughter Margaret.
(75) May 18. 1789.
MARGARET MACDONALD, spouse of John Warden,
Excise Officer, Fortrose, as heir to Hugh Macdonald, Sheriff
Clerk of Sutherland, her father, Seised, Mar. 8I. 1789,-in
Tenements. in DORNOCH, and pieces of ground colled Goose
Croft & Croftpcddie or Croftfeddle in Dornoch, and Croftloan
io Balloan; (Croftloan being redeemable on payment of .Ł115
Scots, in Bond & Disp. by William Neilson or Mackay in Dor-
noch: to. George Gordon,. Commissary Clerk of Sutherland,
May 8. 1699) ; on Cognition by one of the Bailies of Dornoch,
Mar. 81. 1789. P. R. 15. 816.
I have worked very hard to find this information, books do help along the way, I don't copy and paste from other peoples trees either.
I have also had some very constructive help from Rootschat members over the years which has been very much appreciated,
Patricia